Trees with a jacket on

No, it was not an art project by Christo, but a necessary intervention to protect these monumental beech trees. A beech is a shade tree species, they have a thin bark and are therefore susceptible to bark fire if they suddenly become free. In 2007, this forest edge was cordoned off in connection with coppice management. The two majestic beech trees were not cut down, as they are the oldest trees in the forest (they were not cut down during WWI). Thick old trees have an exceptionally high ecological and recreational value. Because the southern edge of the forest was cut down, these beech trees were suddenly in full sun. To protect the bark from the bright sunlight, the trunks were wrapped with burlap. The burlap decays over time and is now almost impossible to see, but in the meantime the bark has been able to get used to the bright sunlight.

(Source: aelmoeseneiebos.ugent.be)

Bosgroep Oost-Vlaanderen Noord